Gary Neville hails "pragmatic" Jose Mourinho

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has praised "pragmatic" Jose Mourinho after Chelsea secured the Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Mourinho has been criticised in certain sections in recent weeks for a perceived "boring" approach to games, but Neville has insisted that the Blues' title triumph was justification for a more a cautious approach.

Neville told Sky Sports News: "There will always be times in the season when you have to dig in but the rest are miles away from this Chelsea team, tactically and defensively.

"I'm just thinking back through the years – in the Manchester United teams I played in, Ronny Johnsen would play holding midfield to win games, and my brother at times. People forget those things.

"I've not seen a title-winning team that plays well the whole way through. You have to be pragmatic at times and recognise the strengths of other teams. Mourinho does that – he adapts."

Mourinho's champions host Liverpool next week.